Upgrading my PRS505 and my epubs

spinningdoc · 08-06-2013, 03:29 PM

I've been pretty happy with my PRS505 but the battery's palpably going, and it'll only charge via USB now, rather than wall charger, which I find a giant pain. So I'm starting to think what to get next.

Here's the factors I'm bearing in mind:

- must be cart my large epub collection with me - I'm quite happy to do a one off mass conversion via Calibre to achieve this though
- pretty certain an SD card/miniSD card is going to be necessary
- putting those two together, sideloading is a must (I think...)
- not too bothered about bells and whistles. I just want to use it to read words, pretty much. Doing the other stuff on my smartphone or laptop is fine.
- I don't *think* a lit screen is that important. I prefer ambient lighting.
- battery life is important, and the ability to use a wall charger
- so is cost
- I like Sony (partly because my PRS505 has done all that stuff) but if I can read my epubs on a Kindle, and continue to load it up with epubs, I'm fine with that too.
- I'm in the UK, so I guess that rules out Nooks.

So with a bit of combing through this forum and reading some reviews, I think it's looking like a refurb/secondhand T1 or T2, or a basic Kindle, or just maybe a PW.

So what are the pros and cons? Am I missing anything?

The one thing I haven't found out is how to sideload Kindles, if it's is possible, because if I can't do that, the Kindle's out, however nice it might be otherwise.

All thoughts gratefully received.

AnemicOak · 08-06-2013, 04:16 PM

FWIW, Nook's are sold in the UK although I don't know how many places sell them. There is also Kobo as another, more available, ePub reader option. Rumor has it that Sony will have a new model coming out in the coming months (along with the other major vendors), no one knows for sure but something to be aware of.

Kindle sideloading can be done through Calibre or by copying files to the devices Documents folder. Of course you'll need to convert your stuff to KF8 (azw3) or Mobi format to read it.

Rizla · 08-06-2013, 10:50 PM

Argos had a load of the Nook STR in their warehouse for 30 pounds, plus 10 or so for the case. It was delivery only. Reads epub very well. The buttons suck compared to the Sony buttons, but I just use the touch screen. Works fine. Recommended. I don't recommend the lighted version for 70 pounds.

If you want to spend more and get a lighted screen, wait till autumn. A lot of new models are likely to be coming out (Nook, Sony, Kobo). I'd get a cheap Nook or a Sony.

EowynCarter · 08-10-2013, 11:37 AM

If you have ePub, and what's more, lots of them, spare yourself the hassle of converting.

PRS-T2 I would say, else kobo or bookeen.

And yeah, announcement for new readers are expected soon, so, might be worth to wait a bit to see what's next.

jlynton · 08-11-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EowynCarter

PRS-T2 I would say, else kobo or bookeen

Kobo glo is very sluggish once you get over about 2,000 books!

mediax · 08-21-2013, 07:46 AM

Having followed the 505 -> 650 -> T2 path, I think you'd be delighted with a T2. I certainly am - the improvements in contrast, page turn (and general) speed, etc changes the experience significantly for the better.

carpetmojo · 08-26-2013, 02:32 AM

T3 (allegedly

) out in US at least on September 19th ....

See in the Sony section .......

But a T2 would certainly click the boxes, a T1 would be OK - but beware the refurb route............. a lot have, hidden away in the description somewhere, "refurb'd by seller" or similar.
We don't seem to get genuine factory refurb's over here - not much demand I suppose .

paola · 09-05-2013, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinningdoc

I've been pretty happy with my PRS505 but the battery's palpably going, and it'll only charge via USB now, rather than wall charger, which I find a giant pain. So I'm starting to think what to get next.

- I'm in the UK, so I guess that rules out Nooks.

If you feel like trying a 5" device, the Kobo Mini is currently on offer at £29.99 on the WHsmith site (with free saver delivery). No SD card, though, but you would be able to sideload and use a wall charger. If you are prepared to play around with it, you can open it and replace the SD card with a larger one.

08-06-2013, 03:29 PM	#1
spinningdoc Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Non	Upgrading my PRS505 and my epubs I've been pretty happy with my PRS505 but the battery's palpably going, and it'll only charge via USB now, rather than wall charger, which I find a giant pain. So I'm starting to think what to get next. Here's the factors I'm bearing in mind: - must be cart my large epub collection with me - I'm quite happy to do a one off mass conversion via Calibre to achieve this though - pretty certain an SD card/miniSD card is going to be necessary - putting those two together, sideloading is a must (I think...) - not too bothered about bells and whistles. I just want to use it to read words, pretty much. Doing the other stuff on my smartphone or laptop is fine. - I don't think a lit screen is that important. I prefer ambient lighting. - battery life is important, and the ability to use a wall charger - so is cost - I like Sony (partly because my PRS505 has done all that stuff) but if I can read my epubs on a Kindle, and continue to load it up with epubs, I'm fine with that too. - I'm in the UK, so I guess that rules out Nooks. So with a bit of combing through this forum and reading some reviews, I think it's looking like a refurb/secondhand T1 or T2, or a basic Kindle, or just maybe a PW. So what are the pros and cons? Am I missing anything? The one thing I haven't found out is how to sideload Kindles, if it's is possible, because if I can't do that, the Kindle's out, however nice it might be otherwise. All thoughts gratefully received.

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08-06-2013, 04:16 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	FWIW, Nook's are sold in the UK although I don't know how many places sell them. There is also Kobo as another, more available, ePub reader option. Rumor has it that Sony will have a new model coming out in the coming months (along with the other major vendors), no one knows for sure but something to be aware of. Kindle sideloading can be done through Calibre or by copying files to the devices Documents folder. Of course you'll need to convert your stuff to KF8 (azw3) or Mobi format to read it.

08-06-2013, 10:50 PM	#3
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	Argos had a load of the Nook STR in their warehouse for 30 pounds, plus 10 or so for the case. It was delivery only. Reads epub very well. The buttons suck compared to the Sony buttons, but I just use the touch screen. Works fine. Recommended. I don't recommend the lighted version for 70 pounds. If you want to spend more and get a lighted screen, wait till autumn. A lot of new models are likely to be coming out (Nook, Sony, Kobo). I'd get a cheap Nook or a Sony.

08-10-2013, 11:37 AM	#4
EowynCarter Wizard Posts: 4,332 Karma: 4000000 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Paris Device: Cybooks; Sony PRS-T1	If you have ePub, and what's more, lots of them, spare yourself the hassle of converting. PRS-T2 I would say, else kobo or bookeen. And yeah, announcement for new readers are expected soon, so, might be worth to wait a bit to see what's next.

08-21-2013, 07:46 AM	#6
mediax Readaholic Posts: 255 Karma: 1058454 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Swindon, UK Device: Sony PRS-T2 (previously 505 and 650)	Having followed the 505 -> 650 -> T2 path, I think you'd be delighted with a T2. I certainly am - the improvements in contrast, page turn (and general) speed, etc changes the experience significantly for the better.

08-26-2013, 02:32 AM	#7
carpetmojo Wizard Posts: 3,117 Karma: 9269999 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: UK Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5	T3 (allegedly ) out in US at least on September 19th .... See in the Sony section ....... But a T2 would certainly click the boxes, a T1 would be OK - but beware the refurb route............. a lot have, hidden away in the description somewhere, "refurb'd by seller" or similar. We don't seem to get genuine factory refurb's over here - not much demand I suppose .

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